Coaster fans get 'VIP' treatment at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

There are those who love roller coasters, and there are those who love roller coasters.

For the latter group, Wednesday's pilgrimage to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo was like a religious experience.

The trip was part of the American Coaster Enthusiasts' 37th annual national convention, Coaster Con, which this year offers members a chance to ride 21 different coasters at four Northern California amusement parks.

"I haven't missed a Coaster Con in 15 years," said Fleming Cook, 52, of Woodhaven, Mich., after a behind-the-scenes tour of Medusa, one of the park's popular steel coasters. "The traveling, the adrenaline rush, being with like-minded people ... all of those things I enjoy."

Hundreds of coaster enthusiasts from across the country are attending the week-long event, which started Sunday. This year's celebration of all things coaster also includes stops at California's Great America in Santa Clara, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Gilroy Gardens.

Along the way, attendees enjoy tours of their favorite wooden and steel coasters and hours of riding before and after the parks are open to the public.

"I love the feeling you get from it, the rush of adrenaline," said 14-year-old Jake Anderson, of Santa Clarita, describing his love of spine-tingling thrill rides. Anderson was attending his first coaster convention on a father-son trip.

"I'm more of a lightweight," his father, Steve Anderson, added after scaling Medusa's 150-foot high lift hill on a guided tour. "I like some roller coasters, but I don't go as extreme as he does."

For Michael and Celia Horwood, who traveled from the village of Cowley in Alberta, Canada, the hair-raising getaway is a chance to celebrate their upcoming 40th wedding anniversary. They said they were planning to renew their vows in front of the legendary Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz.

Founded in 1978, the nonprofit coaster club has more than 5,000 members across North America, Europe, Asia and South America, according to its website. It calls itself the largest "amusement park enthusiast organization" in the world.

Paying members enjoy exclusive park benefits, bimonthly newsletters, quarterly magazines and a chance to attend local and national coaster events.

It's also a chance to travel and make friends, said Cook, an IT specialist who became a member in 1999.

"There's a cross-section of people in ACE," Cook said. "You've got medical examiners, doctors, IT people, teachers ... you find yourself talking about a lot more than roller coasters and amusement parks. But we're here because we love amusement parks."

Ricky Cooper, of Richmond, Va., said he's been a coaster fan for about 20 years.

"Before that, I was afraid," said Cooper, donning a "VIP" badge as he waited to ride Superman Ultimate Flight. "I would ride the merry-go-round and that was it. And then I rode one particular roller coaster near my home (Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion) and fell in love."

Some were new members, such as Paul Keeler, who traveled more than 5,000 miles from his home outside of London to get his fill of Bay Area thrill rides.

"It's hard finding friends who like doing the same things, so I thought I'd just go and do this on my own instead of just waiting forever," said Keeler, an IT software consultant who joined the club six weeks ago.

"Ever since I was a child I've liked fun fairs and fast rides," he added.

Making friends wasn't hard for Keeler, who ended up carpooling from San Jose with a group of club members.

"It's always been fun because you get to know people ... and you meet people from all over, including this guy from England," said Bob Alartosky, of Methuen, Mass., the group's driver. "So even if you're alone ... you're not alone."